Microsoft has officially announced the next version of Window today, which will be Windows 11. After months of teases and leak, Windows 11 is expected to arrive in the last quarter of this year. Microsoft has promised to make it available as a free upgrade to eligible Windows 10 users and to new PC’s from this year’s holiday.
Microsoft redesigns the user interface for Windows 11, with a centred Start menu and Taskbar. Live tiles are replaced with a grid of icon that can be rearranged and pinned to Start. There are also new Widgets feature that houses things like your calendar, weather, sports leaderboard, and latest news. System Tray also was improved with a new split Notification and Quick Action user interface.
Microsoft’s Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer, Windows + Devices wrote on Microsoft blog “We’ve simplified the design and user experience to empower your productivity and inspire your creativity. It’s modern, fresh, clean and beautiful. From the new Start button and taskbar to each sound, font and icon, everything was done intentionally to put you in control and bring a sense of calm and ease. We put Start at the center and made it easier to quickly find what you need.”
One of the surprises of the event was Microsoft’s announcement that it will be using Amazon’s Appstore to bring Android apps to Windows 11. Microsoft will be utilizing Intel’s Bridge technology to make Android apps work on Windows 11.
During the closing remarks, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said “Windows recognizes that there is no personal computing without personal agency. Personal computing requires choice, and we need to nurture and grow our own agency over computing itself. We want to remove the barriers that too often exist today and provide real choice and connection.”
He laid out his vision for Windows 11 as a “platform for platform creators,” and in doing so, he issued a subtle but nonetheless stinging critique of Apple.